San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith was given a nine-game suspension for multiple violations of league policies before the season began. According to multiple sources, there's a chance the suspension could be lifted a game or two early.

Huddle Up: The league has tweaked a few rules this season, reducing a few suspensions along the way, so an early return for Smith is hardly out of the question. The Niners could use some good news on the defensive front, as they've been gutted by injury this season and just got sliced and diced by Peyton Manning.

Posted: 8/29/2014 4:53pm et

San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith was suspended for the first nine games of 2014 for violating the policy and program for substances of abuse and the personal conduct policy.

Huddle Up: This is about what most had been expecting for the player who has totaled the second-most sacks in the league since 2011, although the Niners would've preferred the decision a little sooner. In any case, it looks like San Fran is going to have to make do without their leading 2013 sacker (Smith) and top 2013 tackles leader (NaVorro Bowman) for the first half of the season.

Posted: 7/31/2014 4:58pm et

San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday, Aug. 8. Smith is facing a suspension for three felony gun charges and a DUI.

Huddle Up: The Niners -- and owners in fantasy IDP leagues -- need some clarity on the suspension with fellow LB NaVorro Bowman expected to miss the first half of the season recovering from knee surgery.

Posted: 6/26/2014 8:26pm et

San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith is unlikely to be available for the start the 2014 regular season as he is likely facing a suspension after pleading no contest to DUI and multiple felony weapons charges. Smith is unlikely to face jail time if he can stay out of trouble for the next month.

Huddle Up: Definitely look for the commish to mete out some punishment, likely of the 2-4 game-ban variety.

Posted: 5/13/2014 5:55pm et

San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith's hearing on felony weapons and
misdemeanor driving under the influence charges have been continued
to May 21.

Huddle Up: This means an extra week or so of legal drama for the Niners and
their troubled LB.

Posted: 5/1/2014 11:49pm et

San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith's fifth-year option is ultimately
expected to be picked up, despite his off-field issues, according to
several league sources.

Huddle Up: Smith and his off-field issues have made things anything but easy on
the Niners, but the LB is a rare pass-rushing talent (42 sacks in 43
career games) who can be expected to be given every possible
opportunity to stick around.

Posted: 4/24/2014 7:32pm et

San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith avoided felony charges for making bomb threats at an airport earlier this month. The case has been forwarded to the Los Angeles City attorney's office for misdemeanor consideration.

Huddle Up: Well, it's one positive development for the troubled Smith, but other hurdles still await.

Posted: 4/18/2014 1:45pm et

The San Francisco 49ers are not expected to pick up the 2015 fifth-year option on the contract of LB Aldon Smith, according to a league source. The team has until May 3 to make their decision.

Huddle Up: Smith's off-the-field issues have likely punched his ticket out of San Francisco.

Posted: 4/17/2014 10:32pm et

The San Francisco 49ers do not plan on releasing LB Aldon Smith this offseason. Smith is expected to be suspended at the beginning of the season, but the length of the suspension is not known at this point.

Huddle Up: The Niners are in a tough position with Smith, but his continuing legal issues may wind up making the decision for them.

Posted: 4/14/2014 10:47am et

Updating a previous report, San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith was released from a Los Angeles jail Sunday, April 13, after posting $20,000 bail, shortly after being charged with making a false bomb threat earlier in the day at Los Angeles International Airport. A LAPD spokesman said although it was observed Smith may have been drinking prior to the incident, it was not a factor to his arrest.

Huddle Up: Smith has already run afoul of the league's substance abuse policy, so if this incident turns out to be a relapse he could be looking at a more extended league-mandated vacation. And with the 49ers needing to make a decision on an option year for Smith prior to the upcoming draft, they'll need to thoroughly investigate the situation sooner rather than later.

Posted: 4/13/2014 10:39pm et

Updating a previous report, San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith was arrested Sunday, April 13, at Los Angeles International Airport after he made a threat that he possessed a bomb, airport police said. Smith reacted in a belligerent manner to a second security screening when he was in a security line. After making the bomb threat, he proceeded to the gate and airport police were summoned. He was detained and subsequently arrested. 'We are disappointed to learn of the incident today involving Aldon Smith. As this is a pending legal matter and we are still gathering the pertinent facts, we will have no further comment,' general manager Trent Baalke said. In the past 27 months, Smith has been arrested twice for driving under the influence, and he faces three felony weapons charges stemming from a party at his home in June 2012. Smith was stabbed during that incident, and two others were shot.

Huddle Up: Another month, another off-field incident for the talented (42 sacks in 43 career games) but obviously troubled Smith, who spent some team-mandated time on the reserve non-football injury list last season to get things together after his second DUI arrest. However, his continuing legal problems might soon take those decisions out of the Niners' and NFL's hands.